The much awaited judgment of the Supreme Court on the misuse of the red beacon is finally out. It has been very rightly ruled that only high dignitaries holding constitutional posts can now use the red beacon light on their official vehicle.
In Goa by a notification dated 8th March 1994 the Governor, Chief Minister, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Ministers, High Court Judges besides the North Goa and South Goa District Judges were allowed use of the red beacon. By that order the Chief Secretary, IGP, District Magistrates and SPs were also permitted the use of a red beacon. Then after almost five years on 30th December 1999 this privilege was extended to Atmaram Nadkarni during his earlier stint as the Advocate General of Goa. Over the years the list went on increasing to include the President of the Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission, Deputy Chairman of the Goa State Planning Board, Mayor of Panaji, President of Administrative Tribunal, Presiding officer of Labour Court, Director of Prosecution, State Election Commissioner, President of Children’s Court and the Principal Secretary for the State of Goa. These are the only persons currently officially permitted to use the red beacon. Most of these authorities can now hope to see their red beacon vanishing with the Supreme Court cracking the whip. Others presently high handedly flashing the red beacon are doing so unauthorisedly and illegally. The list of these offenders is long and includes the Chairman of the Goa Law Commission Narendra Sawaikar and NRI Commissioner Wilfred Mesquita amongst others. The Chairman of the Goa Public Service Commission Kurapati Dwarakanath Row has also been desperately trying and lobbying to get a red beacon fitted on his official car. A few years ago the then Chairman of the Goa State Pollution Board Dr L.U. Joshi also started high handedly unauthorisedly using the red beacon. But fearing that the law would catch up with him the red beacon soon vanished. Now with the Supreme Court having shown the red card to misuse of the red beacon we will see a very trimmed list of those entitled to this privilege in the State of Goa. Aires Rodrigues T1 - B30, Ribandar Retreat Ribandar - Goa - 403006 Mobile: 9822684372
